From the daughter of a RevGal teaching in Japan: This past Saturday I went to a local mall in Tokushima to do some shopping with my girlfriend, J. As we were walking to the ATMs, a few preteen girls and a mom came walking toward us from the opposite direction. I heard the girls start… Read More
Easter Sunday Prayer
Let us do what is right, with prayer and praise: We rejoice in your renewal, O Creator — alleluia, amen — and we celebrate the labor to which we are called. We rejoice that we are not surrendered to death — alleluia, amen — and we celebrate your name on this day. We preach the women’s… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Between
Here we are, Lord, slung between death and resurrection. Suspended in the moment between the blank page and the final word the desperate argument and the forgiving embrace the pink slip and the new offer the last tear and the first smile the diagnosis and the treatment plan the caught breath and the exhale. Here… Read More
Friday Prayer
O Holy One, as Creation holds its breath, we wait we ponder we search our souls. we doubt we step back in fear we fail you. grant us peace give us hope clear our minds as we listen for that first whisper from the tomb, as we watch for that first glimmer of resurrection light.… Read More
Maundy Thursday Prayer: Remember
“Do this to remember me…” However we do this with a loaf, wafers, cubes of bread… However we do the doing in vestments our Sunday best barefoot or high-heeled Dear God, help us to remember not the to-do list or the thing we forgot to write on the to-do list or who is doing what… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: The Living and the Dead (Matthew 28:1-10)
Matthew’s gospel begins and ends with angels, bringing the same message: “Do not be afraid…oh, and also, you have a job to do.” The first angel in Matthew instructs Joseph to make Mary his wife, before Jesus is born. The Easter morning angel tells the women at the tomb not to be afraid, and also… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: Release Barabbas
“Release Barabbas for us!” (Luke 23:18) In Bangladesh, an 18-year-old student named Nusrat Jahan Rafi has died from the trauma of being set on fire, an attacked that caused 80% burn injuries on her body. The student had accused the school principal, an influential local leader, of attempted rape. Her family received threats after the… Read More
Palm Sunday Prayer
When we have shouted ourselves hoarse and returned home from the parade, forgive our wavering commitment to love. When we have finished our hymns and departed from the comforts of worship, forgive our fickle faithfulness. When we have passed the plate of bread and swept up all the last crumbs, forgive our refusal to extend… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Saturday Teaching
On that day, Holy Friend, before dusty cloaks thrown onto even more dusty earth, before the powers’ posturing, before you washed your friends’ feet and sat at a table even with the one who would betray you and prayed in a darkened olive grove, before torture and death. On that day, Holy Friend, you did what… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: The Marathon Begins
That’s right, it’s the kickoff to Holy Week (I sincerely hope this does not come as a surprise to you). Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday, some combination thereof, or maybe you’re doing something completely different: it’s here! Revised Common Lectionary thoughts and Narrative Lectionary thoughts are on our website. We will attempt to remain calm, cool,… Read More
